Effects of Sprinkler Over-Pressurization on Water Delivery

摘要

As federal and state cost-share monies have become available, growers have been retrofitting center-pivot irrigation systems, replacing high-pressure impact sprinklers with low-pressure spray nozzles, to increase efficiency and potentially reduce energy use. However, to save money, growers may opt to not use pressure regulators. Operating at the wrong pressure causes excess water to be applied or variable water delivery or both. To document the effects of sprinkler over-pressurization on water delivery from center-pivot systems, a study was conducted at the University of Georgia's C.M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park near Camilla, Ga., in 2005.